Situation in Gaza is dire

way2barak, Oct 13: The situation in Gaza is “dire”, with food and water running out during an Israeli siege, according to the UN’s World Food Programme.

The Palestinian enclave is relying on generators after its only power station ran out of fuel, but Israel says its blockade will not end until Israeli hostages are released.

50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are unable to access essential health services or even clean water, the UN says.

At least 150 hostages were taken into Gaza during Hamas’s deadly attacks at the weekend that killed 1,300 people.

The Israeli defence chief has admitted failures in the military’s duty to uphold security and protect Israeli citizens.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed unending American support for Israel during a visit to the country.

More than 1,500 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes.